IJGA Coach Dan Merrell gains Nike Golf 360 Certification

The instructors at the IJGA are always looking for ways to gain more knowledge and to help their students improve performance on the golf course. Over the past few months, current IJGA instructor, Dan Merrell, has been working toward a certification with Nike Golf 360 powered by the Gray Institute. At the end of April, he flew out to Scottsdale, Ariz., to complete the final piece of his certification.

With the Nike Golf 360 certification the instructor learns how the body works and why it does what it does in a golf swing. They discuss the “truths” of the body and how to correct problems and not just getting rid of symptoms. The difference between this and other golf fitness programs is that they asses the body in a golf posture or in a position in the golf swing. They also try to make the exercises as golf authentic as possible. It is their belief that if it does not look like golf, feel like golf or smell like golf then it is not golf.

Merrell decided to become a part of this program because he has always felt like there has been a missing piece when trying to help students improve. His knowledge of golf swing biomechanics and working through physical limitations with students was not as deep as he would have liked, so he decided to pursue this program. Not only is Merrell learning why students have physical limitations in their swing, he is also learning how to permanently correct them or work through them. This knowledge is something that has already helped Merrell grow as an instructor and the he cannot wait to continue to deepen his knowledge on this subject and apply it to any student who is in need of that kind of help.